Aquatic amusement device



1,564,313 in. L. ALGER 'AQUATI C AMUSEMEN T DEV I CE Filed may 21, 1925 ojflgrg ww/ M Patented Dec. 8, 1925.

UNITED STATES DON L. ALGEB OF AVALON, CALIFORNIA.

AQUATIC AIvIUSElF/IENT DEVICE.

Application filed May 21, 1925. Serial No. 31,947.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DON L. ALGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Avalon, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aquatic Amusement Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to what may be conveniently referred to as an aquatic amusement device, that is, to a device, adapted more particularly for use in the surf at a water resort for the amusement of bathers and onlookers.

M ore specifically, the invention has reference to a device of this kind which is in the form of a relatively large float, of a size to accon modate a plurality of bathers, the same being placed upon the surfand projecting; a considerable distance above it, so that it may be used in the playing of games, whereby to provoke considerable amusement.

One feature of the invention is that it is susceptible to being readily capsized, so that in the event that a single bather attempts to mount or climb up on one side, it will turn over and literally toss the bather back into the water.

It is also a feature to equip the float with a plurality of hand grips to be grasped by the bathers in attempting to climb onto the smrface of the float.

It is a further feature to provide the float with appropriate cushioning means, so that the bathers will not be readily injured. in the action of pouncing upon, and falling against the surface of the float. Provision is also made for the sounding of a gong or the like each time the float is capsized and an unsuccessful attempt at mounting has been made by a bather.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

The figure represents an elevational and sectional view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, showing the manner in which it is floated upon the surf.

It is within the conception of the invention to utilize a float of any particular configuration. The device is therefore broadly referred to as a float, and while the float is to be hereinafter described as a spherical body or a ball, it is to be understood that any approprlate hollow light weight chamber or body may suffice. Furthermore, while the invention is to be described as a more or less rigid structure, it is to be understood that it may be of collapsible formation.

In carrying out the invention in a preferred specific embodiment, I employ a metallic shell 1 of spherical formation. This shell will preferably be made from sheet metal of a, gauge to withstand considerable pressure and rough treatment, under the crushing action to which it will be subjected by the bathers. The shell may be in half or quarter sections to facilitate assemblage,

and in making it, the joints must be securely packed to render the same substantially waterproof. Surrounding the shell is an appropriate pad 2. The pad will preferably be composed of a shock absorbing material covered by suitablewaterproofed rubberized fabric. lVhile the padding will be comparatively soft, it must be sufficiently taut to prevent undue buckling and wrinkling. should be noted that at the top and bottom are manholes. and these are closed by removable cover plates 3 provided with padded surfaces. Appropriate means are employed for securing the cover plates in position and the holes must be of a size to permit the average man to get into the ball for making repairs. For convenience of designation, the top and bottom may be hereinafter referred to as the poles. Disposed on the interior of the shell midway between the poles is a horizontal rod 4, on the center of which are appropriate gongs 5. These gongs are disposed in the path of swing of a pair of arms 6 mounted by swivel oints 7 upon the removable cover plates 3. Impact heads 8 are carried by the free ends of the arms and are adapted to strike the gongs to sound the same during the capsizing of the ball.

A multiplicity of eye bolts 9 are fastened to the shell and extend outwardlythrough appropr'ate openings provided inthe padding and attached to each eye bolt-is a short piece of rope 10, the free end ofwhich is knotted, as. at 11. These ropes constitute hand grips or hand holds and they are distributed equally about the entire surface of the ball; Obviously, the purpose is to permit them to be grasped by the bathers in attempting to climb onto the top of the Of course, this is a rather difficult feat for a single person to do, and it is ordinarily necessary for an additional bather to balance the ball on the other side to permit the first bather to climb thereon.

From the foregoing description and drawing, it will be seen that I have evolved and produced a novel and attractive amusement device, especially useful for bathers and the like at beaches, water resorts, and similar places. While the invention is not to be re stricted the float is preferably in the form of a huge ball adapted to accommodate a plurality of persons. Ordinarily, it will be necessary that the ball be in water of a greater depth than eight feet. It will, itself be at least fifteen feet in diameter, and thus a considerable portion will project above the surface of the water. Although the ball is preferably rigid, it is such that little or no injury will occur by the slipping of bathers thereon. For instance, if one is so skillful as to occupy a standing position on the top pole, and the ball casts to one side, the falling person will not be injured to any extent, owing to the existence of the padding. In pract ce, I contemplate dividing the ball into differently colored sectors. This will add to the attractiveness and amusement of all concerned. Much sport will be obtained by utilizing the ball in the playing of a game wherein three to five persons play 011 each side. Under this instance, the man hole at the top Will be opened, and a quant'ty of water placed into the interior of the ball to weight the bottom and to cause a portion thereof to sink below the surface to the desired depth. -Under this arrangement, the sides will push the ball from place to place in an attempt to move it beyond a predetermined goal. I propose to so arrange the weight and buoyancy of the ball so that approxin'iately three fifths of the entire ball is exposed above the surface of the water. It is also desirable to color the ball in halves so that the persons playing the game may be the players of teams, the bathing suits of which may match the color of the halves. The object would be to turn the ball in the water, in a manner to sound the gong, each time serving as a count for the most skillful side. Such results are no doubt clear after carefully considering the description in conjunction with the drawing. Therefore a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to, if desired.

I claim:

1. An aquatic amusement device of the kind described comprising a substantially spherical float, the surface of which is cushioned, and a multiplicity of hand grips distributed over the surface of the float.

2. An aquatic amusement device comprising a spher'cal cushioned float, a plurality of eye bolts carried thereby, and hand grips attached to said eye bolts and disposed on the exterior of the surface of the float to per mit them to be grasped by bathers.

3. An aquatic amusement device comprising a float adapted to accommodate a plurality of bathers, a plurality of hand grips mounted on the exterior of the float, a gong supported in said float, and a swingable impact element cooperable w th said gong for sounding the same when the float assumes a predetermined position.

4. An aquatic amusement device comprising a spherical padded float of a size to accommodate a plurality of bathers, manholes formed in said float, removable covers for said manholes, a horizontal rod supported within the float, gongs carried by said rod. and swngably mounted arms carried by said covers and having impact elements for striking said gongs.

5. An aquatic amusementdevice of the kind specified comprising a hollow metallic shell provide on its top and bottom with manholes permitt ng access to be had to the interior, covers for said holes, padding covering the surface of the shell and covers, and a multiplicity of hand grips distr buted over the padding to enable persons to climb on to the device.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

DON L. ALGER. 

